<H2>Manifest The Secret & The Science of Happiness</H2>

The practice of meditation is central to staying clear and directed in a crazy world. Many people struggle with incorporating meditation into their daily routine. So when I came across this book, I knew I needed to read it. As it turns out it could be the book that gets you turned on to the practice of meditation.

The book is called The Joy of Living-Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness. It is written by a Tibetan monk named Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. What’s great about this monk is that he is one of the brains scientists have been studying while the subjects are in meditation.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche has a wonderful easy writing voice and lots to say about the wonders of life. He not only talks about how to meditate and gives you simple exercises to try, he also reveals his own amusing learning experiences with meditation. You have to love this man for making it through the gauntlet of his youth.

He also talks about the science he has discovered during his work with the Dali Lama and the Mind and Life Institute, the partnership that brings together Buddhists and scholars in discussion with modern scientists. Drawing from the wealth of information this group generates, Rinpoche takes you on the most pleasant of journeys weaving Buddhist thought with science and back again to everyday life.

Here is a short snip of what he has to say about using our thoughts in meditation.

“Even after you make friends with your five senses and learn to use sensory input as a support for meditation, you may find some difficulty in dealing with the “crazy monkey,” the mental consciousness that enjoys leaping around, creating confusion, doubt, and uncertainty. Even if you learn to rest in simple sensory awareness, the crazy monkey mind will always be looking for new ways to interrupt whatever calmness, clarity, and openness you’ve achieved by offering a different and disturbing interpretation of events—a kind of psychological equivalent of throwing cushions around and gobbling up altar offerings. Difficult as it might be to deal with, the crazy monkey’s interference is not a “bad” thing; it’s simply a matter of entrenched neuronal patterns seeking to reassert themselves. The crazy monkey is essentially a neurologically programmed response to threats to human survival. Instead of getting angry, work with it. Why not generate a sense of gratitude toward its activity in helping us to survive?”

Here’s a link to the book — The Joy of Living-Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Enjoy this great read.